Carbon Monoxide Leak in Milan Nursery School: 12 Children and 4 Adults Hospitalized
Milan, February 3, 2026 – Twelve children and four adults were hospitalized on Tuesday morning following a carbon monoxide leak at a nursery school located in Viale Certosa 34 in Milan. The incident, which occurred around 9:00 AM, prompted an immediate response from emergency services.
The affected individuals, including children aged one and two, three teachers (aged 31, 34, and 42), and a 39-year-old father, received medical attention from 118 paramedics. Firefighters from the central station on Via Messina, along with experts from the NCR Unit, were dispatched to the scene to identify the source of the leak.
Cause of the Leak Identified
After a thorough inspection of the building, firefighters determined that the carbon monoxide leak was caused by construction workers. The workers, who were carrying out renovation work, had inadvertently blocked a chimney flue. This blockage led to the accumulation of boiler fumes, which then saturated the nursery school premises.
The children and teachers were initially moved to a triage area where they were examined by medical personnel. Subsequently, the four adults were transported to Niguarda and San Paolo hospitals, while eleven children were taken to Niguarda, San Carlo, San Paolo, Buzzi, and De Marchi hospitals. All individuals were reported to be in non-serious condition, categorized as yellow and green codes.
Emergency Response and Ongoing Investigations
The rapid intervention of the fire brigade and medical teams was crucial in managing the situation and ensuring the safety of those affected. The NCR Unit continues its work to fully assess the incident and prevent future occurrences.
This event highlights the critical importance of safety protocols during construction and renovation activities, particularly in buildings housing vulnerable populations such as young children. Authorities are expected to conduct further investigations to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident has drawn attention to the need for vigilant oversight of building maintenance and renovation, especially in public and educational facilities. The Milan community awaits further updates on the health of the hospitalized individuals and the measures that will be taken to ensure the safety of the nursery school moving forward.
